Which OSHA 30 Course Should I Choose? General Industry or Construction Training?

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has established standards and regulations for employees and employers. Its main purpose is to guarantee that employees understand their rights, responsibilities, and the importance of maintaining a safe work environment.

OSHA 30 Course

OSHA 30 courses have been created to provide workers with the necessary safety and compliance knowledge to support OSHA's purpose. The OSHA 30 courses are not designed directly by OSHA itself but are developed based on OSHA standards and regulations.

The most popular OSHA 30 courses are the OSHA 30 General Industry and the Construction Safety Training Course. Many OSHA-authorized trainers are offering these courses.

General Industry Safety Training

In general industry safety training, workers learn safety rules for workplaces that don’t have their specific standards. The general industry is related to everything except construction, maritime, aircraft, mining, and nuclear facilities. General safety training provides comprehensive knowledge about occupational health and safety, addressing the most common safety hazards. This 30-hour training provides information from OSHA 29 CFR 1910.

You can increase your safety at the workplace by attending this training even if your employer does not require it.

Foremen, engineers, supervisors, project managers, and safety specialists will need OSHA 30-Hour General Industry Safety Training.

This course is ideal for workers in:

Healthcare

Manufacturing

Warehousing

Distribution

Retail

Agriculture

Cosmetology

Automotive

General Industry-specific course content includes:

Walking and Working Surfaces, including Fall Protection

Emergency Action Plan

Hazard Communication

Hazardous Materials (flammable and combustible liquids, spray finishing, compressed gases, dipping, and coating operations)

Lockout/Tagout

Machine Guarding

Welding and Cutting

Hazardous Substances & Industrial Hygiene

Bloodborne Pathogens

OSHA Recordkeeping

Process Safety Management

Asbestos in the Workplace

Scaffolds

HAZWOPER

Construction Safety Training

Construction safety training addresses the specific safety needs of construction sites. OSHA defines construction work as work for construction, alteration, and repair, including painting and decorating. It includes 29 CFR 1926, which are the construction-specific standards, and some of 1910, that is, the general standards.

DOL cards are considered mandatory more often in construction than in general industry.

Construction employees with safety responsibilities, such as foremen, superintendents, project managers, safety coordinators, and safety specialists, need OSHA 30-hour construction safety training.

Construction-specific course content includes:

Health Hazards in Construction

Concrete and Masonry Construction

Cranes, derricks, hoists, elevators, and conveyors

Excavations

Fire Protection and Prevention

Motor vehicles, mechanized equipment, rollover protective structures, and overhead protection

Signs, Signals, and Barricades

Tools: Hand and Power

Welding and Cutting

Silica Exposure

Lead Exposure

Asbestos Exposure

Difference Between Construction and General Industry Safety Training Courses

Choosing the right course can be life-changing, especially if you plan to enhance your knowledge of safety protocols specific to your field.

The OSHA 30 course is specifically intended for supervisory-level personnel. This article will help you choose which OSHA 30 course is right for you. When selecting between OSHA 30-hour general or construction safety training, you must understand the difference between the OSHA 30-hour construction safety training course and the general industry safety training course.

Every workplace has unique needs and requirements, which call for different safety training.

A few key points will help you easily choose between the safety training and determine which one is right for you:

Construction is different due to unique hazards, and any field other than construction, marine, and disaster sites falls under the category of general industry training. Although agriculture is categorized separately under OSHA standards, it is included in general industry outreach training.

The general industry includes manufacturing, compounding, processing, assembling, and fabricating products. In contrast, the construction industry refers to the area focused on building, repairing, and renovating infrastructure.

OSHA has clarified that demolition is a construction field-related work and there is no corollary provision in the general industry standards.

OSHA confirmed that most routine removal and replacements of billboards and other types of commercial signs that are designed for such removals and replacements are typically considered general activities.

Construction-specific rules appear as 29 CFR 1926. General Industry standards are categorized under 29 CFR 1910.

Differences between OSHA 1910 and 1926 include:

The height from which fall protection shall begin.

Requirements of confined space entry, methods of atmospheric monitoring, and permitting processes.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) standards.

Safety requirements for ladders.

The acceptable distance to eye washing stations.

Specific illumination requirements for construction sites.

How fast accident prevention signs have to be taken down once the hazard is removed.

Which OSHA 30 Course to Choose?

Once you understand the different industries outlined by OSHA, it is generally evident what type of card you must have or which OSHA 30 course to choose. It is better to consult your employer so that you opt for the right training.

When choosing between the OSHA 30-hour General Industry and Construction training courses, your decision should be based on your work environment, career goals, and safety responsibilities. Evaluate the specific dangers and safety challenges you face on the job. Each training provides unique insights into workplace safety. Take the time to examine your needs and select the OSHA 30 course that best fits your professional path.

If you want to grow in the construction industry or work in a position that prioritizes safety on construction sites, the OSHA 30 Construction Safety Training is for you. On the contrary, if you intend to work in manufacturing or another general sector, then general safety training is right for you.

Taking both general industry safety training and construction safety training can help you advance in your career. Some professionals take both courses over time to enhance their knowledge and increase their chances of more job opportunities.

Phillips Jones An Content Writer who focuses on informational & quality content. 2 years of experience with multiple international companies.